The Pros/Cons of Niacin Vitamins

Niacin vitamins provide essential B vitamins that many people lack as a result of poor dietary practices. Niacin, which also carries the name Vitamin B3, helps maintain proper muscle growth and function in order to help people of all ages remain strong and active. Proper levels of the essential nutrient also helps fight off potentially fatal diseases that affect muscle tissue, skin and even mental processes.

Pros of Niacin

Vitamin B3 works in sync with the human body in the metabolism of food calories from major macronutrient sources. Once broken down, these smaller nutrient building blocks get carried to muscles and throughout the body as sources of energy. Your muscle tissue does not have the ability to do any form of work without essential help from B Vitamins like niacin.

A major health benefit provided by niacin involves its known ability to lower your bad cholesterol levels. Since Vitamin B3 does not naturally reside within the human body, you must consume diets with high levels of the essential nutrient in order to receive such benefits. Protein rich food sources like meats and nuts contain higher levels of niacin and other beneficial B Vitamins as well.

Cons of Niacin

Several people tend to believe that consuming large amounts of niacin will help flush their systems of toxins and other chemicals. This practice has gained the attention of job seekers who frantically search for a way to pass drug tests.

However, consuming too much niacin typically results in the release of electrolytes and other nutrients within your body, often resulting in fatigue, nausea, vomiting, vertigo and even organ damage. People who continually consume over 75mg of niacin a day have higher risk levels of liver damage than others.

Niacin acts as a water soluble vitamin in that your body disposes of excess amounts through urination. This means that in order to maintain healthy levels of the essential nutrient, you must continually replenish your system daily in order to see any real benefit.

The Depleting Cycle

Since our bodies rid themselves of the non absorbed levels of Vitamin B3, we must monitor our daily intake levels. Store bought Niacin vitamins usually do not carry high price tags, though restocking your shelves with B Vitamins does become a financial burden over time. Some people choose to stick with food sources as opposed to vitamins and supplements in order to get their required B3 intakes.

Vitamin B3 Warnings

Doctors often prescribe medicines that help reduce cholesterol levels. These patients should not consume additional niacin vitamins without first consulting with their personal doctor or a medical professional.

Many cholesterol lowering medicines contain a form of niacin. Using niacin supplements of other B vitamin complexes containing Vitamin B3 have the ability to cause health risks such as liver damage and damaged glucose tolerance.

About 3FC

3FC began as a personal source of diet support for sisters Suzanne, Jennifer, and Amy in 1997. The site has grown considerably based on the feedback of the many visitors and sister chicks that found us and decided to call the website home.

The website was acquired by Internet Brands in 2010 and continues to provide the most supportive free weight loss community online!